Mayor Kevin Johnson’s latest moves and mishaps prove more than worrisome
To be accused by so many women, so many times, it boggles the mind
Good for Sacramento City Councilman Steve Hansen, calling out Mayor Kevin Johnson’s backdoor budget buster—a proposed 70 percent increase in personnel for K.J.’s office.
Johnson has been obsessed with expansion of the office since he first got elected, and realized his staff just didn’t measure up to those of other big-city mayors. Indeed, the whole interminable strong-mayor thing seemed mainly driven by K.J.’s size envy.
At a May 12 city council meeting, Hansen pointed out that voters had already rejected the Johnson’s strong-mayor ambitions, when they voted down Measure L last fall. That’s when Vice Mayor Allen Warren tried to stop Hansen from talking and warned him to “be mindful of what you’re saying.”
Hansen wasn’t having it. And called on the city attorney to explain that, no, Hansen did not have to shut up. Warren was left looking like a bully, or maybe vice-bully.
Johnson still has plenty of yes-folk on the council—he may yet get to supersize his staff. But if he doesn’t, if he learns that in this case no really does mean no, here’s a suggestion for the mayor: Redirect the people who work for you now to do actual city business.
A large portion of the mayor’s current staff is dedicated to supporting the mayor’s various nonprofit organizations and running initiatives that have nothing to do with the job of mayor of the city of Sacramento.
For example, Cassandra Jennings—K.J.’s special assistant and wife of Councilman Rick Jennings—is there to coordinate with the mayor’s various nonprofit initiatives.
It’s not clear why that job is allowed on the city payroll. Certainly moving that job out of City Hall and off the taxpayer dime would free up resources.
Starting in 2012, the mayor’s staff also included a Director of Governmental Affairs and Education. Why Sacramento News & Review - Mayor Kevin Johnson’s latest moves and mishaps prove more than worrisome - Bites - Opinions - May 21, 2015:
